Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire Reference Guide

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Samwan's insightful post on the Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire offers a deep dive into a timepiece that captured the horological world's attention, winning the GPHG Men's Watch category in 2016. His personal experience with the white gold salmon dial model, and his decision to upgrade to the stainless steel Kari Voutilainen guilloché dial, provides a unique collector's perspective on this significant independent watchmaking creation. This article explores the technical brilliance and aesthetic evolution of the 1941 Remontoire, contextualized by samwan's journey and community insights.

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This is a watch that won the top Men's Watch category at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve (GPHG) in 2016. The timepiece was inspired by a church clock in the village of Asten in Odenzaal, Netherlands, near the border with Germany, where the brothers - Bart and Tim Gronefeld - reside. They are third generation master watchmakers as their father, as well as grandfather, were responsible for running the church clock dating back to a century ago. The brothers, as some of you may know, are alumni of Audemars Piguet Renaud et Papi and thus received abundant exposure in the arena of top-notch horology.

The most notable feature of the watch is the intricate system that ensures the balance and escapement receive constant torque via a remontoire governor at 9 o'clock. The idea is to eliminate any weakening force as the spiral spring unwinds through the clever use of a second spring that rewinds once every 8 seconds. Much has already been written about the movement so enough said by a layman like me....

The watch measures 39.5mm by 10.5mm in thickness. It is run on the in-house caliber G.05 with 36 hours power reserve and a frequency of 21,600 vph.

The watch currently in my possession is in white gold with a salmon dial - it is one of the earlier productions. After launching the white gold and rose models however, Gronefeld soon introduced a stainless steel version with guilloche dial made by Kari Voutilainen and enamel in the inner circle by Ines Hamaguchi. I was so captivated by this version that I have already committed to sending the watch back for an "upgrade'. Needless to say - I promise to take fresh pictures once the facelift is done. Stay tuned.

The movement is so pretty that I can practically wear the watch upside-down

About the Gronefeld Ref. 1941Remontoire

The Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire is a distinguished offering from the independent Dutch watchmakers, Tim and Bart Grönefeld. It represents their commitment to traditional haute horlogerie combined with a distinctive contemporary aesthetic, positioning itself as a significant piece within their limited production portfolio.

The timepiece features a constant force mechanism, or remontoire d'égalité, integrated into its hand-wound movement, ensuring consistent power delivery to the escapement for enhanced accuracy. The movement, visible through a sapphire case back, is meticulously finished with polished bevels, circular graining, and Geneva stripes. The case is typically crafted from precious metals, housing a dial designed for legibility and understated elegance.

For collectors, the 1941 Remontoire is valued for its technical sophistication and the brothers' dedication to artisanal craftsmanship. Its limited production numbers and the inclusion of a complex constant force complication contribute to its desirability and long-term appeal within the independent watchmaking segment.

Specifications

Caliber: Grönefeld G-06

Case: Red gold, white gold, or platinum

Diameter: 39.5 mm

Dial: Silver, rhodium-plated, or salmon

Water Resist.: 30 meters

Crystal: Sapphire, front and back

Key Points from the Discussion

The decision to acquire an independent brand's watch, like Grönefeld, often involves weighing the brand's smaller scale and perceived vulnerability against the unique craftsmanship and personal connection, a dilemma that can lead collectors to larger, more established brands for comfort.
The original salmon dial of the 1941 Remontoire is highly regarded by many collectors, with some preferring its classic aesthetic over later iterations, even those featuring collaborations with renowned artisans like Kari Voutilainen.
The WatchProSite community demonstrates a notable appreciation for Grönefeld timepieces, with multiple members sharing their own examples of the 1941 Remontoire, highlighting its strong presence among discerning collectors.
Some collectors have explored custom dial options with Grönefeld, such as specific colors for Kari Voutilainen guilloché dials or enamel applications, though not all requests are feasible, leading some to stick with the original configurations.
The movement finishing of the 1941 Remontoire is so meticulously executed that some collectors humorously suggest wearing the watch upside down to showcase its mechanical artistry.

The Discussion

sham1

Feb 16, 2021

An all time great Sam!

especially when worn upside down!!

samwan

Feb 16, 2021

Haha

I guess some people will like the picture Best

sham1

Feb 16, 2021

One of the most mesmersing movements ever created

so yes many will like the watch worn upside down even with a Kari dial!

Watchonthewrist

Feb 16, 2021

A true masterpiece and gorgeous watch .

I really enjoy this Salmon dial and even considered a Kari dial when I ordered mine but i am just in love with this even and early dial . Looking forward to see your update. My 1941 says hi

samwan

Feb 16, 2021

Nice picture

Yes, the salmon dial appears in a variety of colors under different lighting conditions

damianp

Feb 16, 2021

While I do think the salmon dial is a very nice one, I do also understand, why you want to exchange it for a Kari dial. After the tourbillon and the principia, I'm really looking forward to the next "completely new" watch of the brothers.

This board does have a really high density of Grönefeld watches

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About the Gronefeld Ref. 1941Remontoire

Specifications

Key Points from the Discussion

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